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(Family Features)—Roof damage brought on by a severe weather can render your home uninhabitable if it is left in disrepair. Act fast with these tips from the experts at CertainTeed Roofing.

1. Exercise caution. Do not attempt to make roof repairs unless you are qualified to do so.

2. Prepare for the insurance adjuster. Make detailed notes and take photographs of the damage, if possible, and give them to the insurance adjuster upon arrival. Look for blown-off shingles or damaged gutters during your assessment, as well as leaks inside the attic. Determine, in addition, any requirements the insurance company may have regarding the materials used for repairs.

3. Hire smart. Disreputable roof contractors are a dime a dozen. Consult with at least three professionals before hiring one to perform repairs, and ask them:

• Are you licensed? Not all states have licensing requirements, so a “no” is not necessarily a red flag. Confirm the contractor’s response with your local licensing authority.

• Where are you located? Local contractors are not only within reach, but can also provide in-town, reliable references.

• Do you have insurance? A reputable contractor will be fully insured, with liability and workers compensation coverage.

• What are your specialties? Hiring a contractor with storm restoration experience can be beneficial in the insurance claims process.

Seeking a recommendation for a roofing contractor? Contact a real estate professional for references.

Late summer is the perfect time for some DIY house projects, with temperatures comfortable enough for both indoor and outdoor endeavors.

One days when it is too hot outside, clean the vent fans in the bathrooms—according to Danny Lipford of TodaysHomeowner.com, performing this chore at least annually will keep them operating efficiently and quietly.

To clean a fan, Lipford instructs:

• Turn the power off to the fan.
• Remove the cover (on most fans, this involves pulling down the cover to extend it, then compressing the spring wires on each side to take it off).
• Use a brush or vacuum to remove dust from the cover. Scrub it in soapy water.
• Vacuum out the dust from inside the fan box and wipe off the blades.
• Spray the moving parts with silicone lubricant.
• Replace the vent fan cover.
• Turn the power back on.

While you are on the step ladder, remove any cobwebs from the ceiling and scrub mildew from the walls, Lipford adds. Consider, as well, replacing inefficient light bulbs with LED or CFL equivalents.

Another project to take on, this time on warmer days, is installing a birdbath. According to OdalesOrangicLife.com’s Megan Othersen Gorman, birds are often lacking water in late summer—a birdbath can help attract them to your yard, which will keep pests at bay.

Dietary supplements are more popular than ever, with products such as botanicals, minerals and vitamins regarded as highly as other, proven, health-preserving activities. How safe are supplements, really?

A recent investigation by Consumer Reports revealed some supplements may contain ingredients that have the potential to harm health. The organization sent secret shoppers to retailers, including Costco, GNC, Whole Foods and the Vitamin Shoppe, to gauge how knowledgeable employees are when it comes to supplements. The information employees provided, according to Consumer Reports, was lacking—when asked about yohimbe, for instance, employees did not disclose that the plant extract has been linked to serious side effects.

All told, 15 ingredients were deemed “potentially harmful” by Consumer Reports—and, because supplements are not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), these ingredients may be blended and packaged in a way that is even more detrimental to health.

“The dietary supplement marketplace lacks the oversight it needs to keep consumers safe,” said Ellen Kunes, Health Content team leader at Consumer Reports, in a statement. “Supplement manufacturers should register their products to enable them to be identified and tracked for safety recalls and to show they are safe before being sold in retail stores, doctors’ offices and hospitals.”

Another expert, however, says the majority of supplements pose little risk.

“There is a small minority of products that do contain ingredients that shouldn’t be in there,” said Steve Mister, president and CEO of The Council for Responsible Nutrition, “but the larger companies, the big brands that you and I see, the ones producing the majority of the products out there, are doing quite well and are very safe for consumers.”

“We are concerned that many supplements are either unsafe or unproven,” Kunes added. “Rather than looking to supplements, consumers should consider other lifestyle changes such as being more active, and eating a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables.”

Summertime and picnics go hand-in-hand. Planning to bring a meal along on your next outdoor excursion? Keep in mind these safety tips from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA):

Keep Hot Foods Warm – Pack hot foods in insulated containers to protect against the formation of bacteria. Discard any leftovers that remain outside for longer than two hours.

Keep Salads Cold – Keep salads cold as long as possible. Discard salad leftovers that remain outside for longer than two hours, especially those that contain mayonnaise. (Consider, too, preparing salads that do not call for mayo at all.)

Pre-Wash Produce – Wash raw fruits and veggies in cool tap water before packing them. (This includes melon, which may harbor contaminants on the rind.)

Take Care with Take-Out – Buy take-out meals ahead of time and refrigerate them before packing them.

Transport Food Safely – Pack perishables at the bottom of a cooler containing ice or frozen gel packs—and pack cold drinks in a separate cooler to lessen the amount of times the perishables cooler is opened.

Wash Hands Often – Pack a supply of moist towelettes. Clean hands before and after handling food.

Baby boomers are one of the most significant home-buying segments in the market today, shifting households to accommodate needs more so than any other generation—and according to recently released research, they have specific preferences when it comes to purchasing a new home.

Their wish list, per a report revealing focus group insights by Hanley Wood and builder Taylor Morrison, includes:

“Information gleaned from the focus group helps set the stage on what the 55-plus homebuyer desires in a new home and how the industry should be building its homes,” said John McManus, Hanley Wood Residential Group editorial director, in a statement. “These influential buyers want a fresh start in a vital, connected, accessible new-home environment. And, as millions of baby boomers across the country begin the next phase of their lives, buying the right home is top-of-mind for them.”

The results of the focus group will inform the development of the NEXTAdventure Home, a model home slated to be introduced at the International Builders Show next year.

Are you a baby boomer considering a housing change? Contact a real estate professional for more information.

Forfeiting time off from work is not uncommon—it is most common, however, among millennials.

“The ‘entitled millennial’ narrative is dead wrong when it comes to vacation,” says Katie Denis, author of the recently released Project: Time Off report “The Work Martyr’s Cautionary Tale: How the Millennial Experience Will Define America’s Vacation Culture.”

“As the largest generation in the workforce—one that is now stepping into management—millennials are developing vacation attitudes that will define and negatively affect America's work culture,” Denis says.

According to the report, millennials are the generation most likely to have a “work martyr” mindset: forgoing time off from work out of fear or guilt.

“The circumstances of the millennial experience—the Great Recession and its aftershocks, growing student debt, and an always-connected lifestyle—have created a perfect storm for their work martyr behavior,” says Denis.

Work martyrs avoid taking time off work for a variety of reasons, the report found, such as:

• They believe they are showing complete dedication to the job.
• They believe they will be perceived as replaceable.
• They believe they may lose consideration for a raise or promotion.
• They believe only they can do the job.
• They believe their boss may have a negative reaction.

The report indicates the work martyr culture is perpetuated from both sides: millennials in management roles not only feel they cannot take time off, but also feel pressure to deny time-off requests from those they supervise.

Still, most millennials believe a work martyr is a good role to assume, and that the martyr mindset will be positively received by their bosses.

Denis cautions less time off can have widespread negative effects across all working generations.

“There are larger implications for the workforce when people don't take vacation,” Denis says. “Time off is essential to employee productivity, creativity, and overall performance.”

Summer is coming to a close, and for homeowners, now is the time to conduct property maintenance ahead of the change of season. Home improvement blogger Michael Miller and Seniorific.com recommend an end-of-season cleanup include the following tasks:

There is a wealth of misinformation about credit—in fact, credit users, even those who check their scores often, incorrectly believe age, employment history and salary factor into a credit score, according to a recently released TransUnion survey.

“Checking your credit score is an important component of financial responsibility, but consumers should do more,” said TransUnion Consumer Interactive President John Danaher in a statement on the survey. “Our survey shows that even those who monitor their credit are only skimming the surface of their credit report and often don’t understand the factors that comprise their credit score.”

The most common misconceptions both credit-checkers and non-credit-checkers should know, according to TransUnion, are:

Myth: Using my debit card will boost my score.
Use of a debit card does not reflect your credit habits, and, thus, will not impact your credit score.

Myth: My salary factors into my score.
Your salary will not impact your credit score, but a lender may factor it into the decision to approve your loan.

Myth: My credit card bill can be paid late, so long as it is paid.
Paying your credit card bill late will impact your score—late payments may remain on your credit report for seven years.

Myth: My credit score is all I need to know.
Checking your credit score is important, but so is checking your entire credit report. Assessing the full report not only helps you understand what impacts your score, but also helps you identify areas for improvement or errors.

Spare time is something to be treasured. It can also be expensive, because there are so many tempting—and costly—ways to spend it. For the budget-conscious among us, contributors to U.S. News & World Report suggest seven ways to spend free time without breaking the bank:

1. Check Out Museums – Most of us have never explored the museums in our own communities. Free or discount admission days can provide a pleasant few hours or a fun date on the cheap.

2. Get in Shape – You don’t have to join a gym to get a healthy workout. Grab a friend for a daily walk or jog, or check out online videos for ideas.

3. Shop Second-Hand – If you do need to shop for clothes or household goods, go to a second-hand store—it’ll keep your spending to a minimum.

4. Take Up a New Hobby – Adopting a hobby, like or learning a new language or widening your cooking skills, is an affordable way to spend free time.

5. Visit the Library – Readers can check out best sellers and classics for free, along with e-books and hundreds of movies.

6. Volunteer – Find an opportunity that appeals to you, such as assisting at an animal shelter, to spend some fun, rewarding hours helping others without spending money.

Many homeowners have had to deal with a malfunctioning sewer line at one time or another—often, at the expense of limited know-how. It pays to be prepared if the sewer line breaks down, says Michael Petri, owner of New York-based Petri Plumbing and Heating, Inc.

According to Petri, a sewer line can fail for a number of reasons, including excessive rainfall; therefore, the first step to remedy a breakdown is to identify its cause.

“First, look for any backflow, issues flushing the toilet, and clogged drains,” Petri advises. “This is often an indication of potential sewer problems in need of repair, sewer cleanout, or replacement.”

In most cases, issues can be fixed by clearing drains that have backed up, says Petri. Garbage disposal and kitchen sink drains are often the culprits.

“We suggest examining your drains regularly,” Petri says. “Use grates to prevent debris, such as hair, from getting clogged going down the drain. In addition, pour water down the drain to check the speed of the water flow into the pipes.”

This type of maintenance—“preventative,” notes Petri—staves off damage that could warrant replacement of the system.

Ensure the sewer drains near the property are not blocked by litter, as well, Petri says—sometimes, the solution is a simple sweep of a nearby drain.

Petri also recommends inspecting the foundation of the home for standing water—this could be a sign of a worsening problem. (Standing water can also encourage mold growth, Petri adds.)

Work to minimize water use in the home during bouts of heavy rainfall. According to Petri, high volumes of household water, combined with rainwater, can place undue strain on the sewer system.